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She gave me an all-knowing side look, and with her left hand, she arranged the velvet shawl that was covering her shoulders. Any day of the week, Sonia Sadin looked like a fucking iron maiden - she intimidated the hell out of me and Zach.
"I was just asking how you are doing."
Sure, she just wanted a chit-chat. I didn’t buy it.
"Chief, is there something wrong?"
"No, James. Indeed, I noticed that you don't spend as much time at the hospital as you used to."
"I haven’t missed a shift, and I have everything absolutely under control, Chief, but I had a lot to take care of at home."
She knew about my damn situation, so where was this shit coming from? I was the most organized doctor in this hospital. I would never let my department be overwhelmed because I took too much time off.
"Chief? James, I'm not admonishing you; I am just asking. I know from experience that being a single parent and having the kind of career you have can be overwhelming at times. Yes, you spoiled me with your overtime and long consults over the years, but I was about to ask you if we needed to discuss your contract and lower your hours."
Oh, hell. Now I was the dick.
"Sonia, I'm sorry if I was out of line."
"Oh, stop. How can you be out of line when Ford is my employee too?” True that.
"Thank you, but I don't need to change my schedule. I have it under control. True, I don't stay over anymore, but I make extensive consults and research over every case from my home office because now I don't..." I don't feel the need to stay the hell away from my house. "I've got it covered."
"Good. Speaking of Ford, did you receive your Save the Date?"
I laughed from the bottom of my heart. She hated this. She was happy for Zach and London, but because of their little love affair and now their wedding, the Chief had to revisit and revise the in-house fraternization policy three times this year. HR is tired of them.
"I'm the best man. I don't need that. Are you bringing a date, Chief?"
I had never seen her with a man, and I'd known this woman for over ten years when she was my professor.
"I have no need for such thing, but if you're asking to escort a friend, I could accept that."
Well, fuck, now I had to tell her about Rita. Not that I would mention a word about the situation behind it, but I still felt like I was sent to a stage naked in front of hundreds of people.
"Umm, actually...you see, Sonia, I already have a date."
"Really? Is there someone from the hospital? Do I have to make sure you're legally covered too?"
"No, don't worry, you don't know her, but it's serious. Rita is part of the reason I spend more time outside the hospital."
"I see." Her phone beeped, alerting her, and she stopped to read something. She frowned at the screen and shook her head. "Damn it."
"Anything wrong?"
"Shaw was supposed to cover the ER today, but he's running a nasty fever. He has someone covering for him but won't be here for a few more hours, so Ford is the only primary doctor on call for emergencies. James, can we chat later? I have to push some meetings so I can fill in myself."
"Oh, don't worry, I can do it, put me on call."
It would only help me to numb my mind and stop panicking like a fucking idiot over something that hadn’t happened yet.
"Are you sure? I have to go talk with the board so I can't find someone else if you change your mind."
"Positive."
She nodded and I went to the nurses’ office to tell them of the change, where I found Tatiana napping on a chair.
"Oh, Dr. Sullivan, sorry. Double shift."
